Vice President's Secretariat
‘Lal Bahadur Shastriji’s life inspires everyone to always keep the Nation First’: Vice President
‘Vision of Gandhiji and Shastriji to see Bharat being self reliant and economically strong is being realised’
Vice President calls for accelerating skill development programs for youth to gain an edge in the competitive global market
Vice President presents the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence to Dr. Bakul Dholakia, former Director of IIM, Ahmedabad
The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri and said that “his life inspires everyone to always keep the Nation First”. He recalled that Shastriji steered India during “one of the most defining phases in its history” and that “his clarion call 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' continues to reverberate in the heart of every Indian”.
Shri Dhankhar was addressing the gathering after presenting the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence to eminent educationist and economist, former Director of IIM, Ahmedabad, Dr. Bakul Dholakia at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas.
Reflecting on the leadership of Shastriji, the Vice President said that his simplicity and steely resolve earned him a distinct place in history. Suggesting that Shastriji’s call for self-reliance through the Green Revolution was one of ‘the earliest avatars of Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ and added that “his and Gandhiji’s vision to see Bharat being self reliant and economically strong is being realised consequent to series of governance affirmative steps taken in last few years”.
Congratulating Dr. Bakul Dholakia, a Padma Shree awardee for being selected for the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence, Shri Dhankhar said that “with significant contribution as an exalted educationist and economist, his tenure as IIM Ahmedabad Director was highly impactful”.
The Vice President, noting the initiatives of the Government taken in recent years to bolster the skillset of the youth, called for further accelerating the steps for skill upgradation in emerging technologies to gain an edge in the competitive global market.
Reflecting on the growth of the Indian economy, Shri Dhankhar said that “Voice of Bharat is being heard in the global ecosystem with impact as never before. These times are witnessing infrastructural growth comparable to highest global benchmarks”.
Shri Anil Shastri, Chairman, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Dr. Bakul Dholakia, former Director of IIM, Ahmedabad, Prof. Praveen Gupta, Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management and other dignitaries were present.
Following is the full text of the speech:
“Indeed an honour to be associated with the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence, named after one of the most illustrious sons of Bharat.
The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence upholds the vision of Shastri Ji. It is gratifying that it values and honours people who have brought about profound transformation in their respective fields.
Shastri Ji's slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' motivates and inspires millions of our countrymen. His story is etched in history and on memories of all.
Honoured to be presenting the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri National award to an outstanding and eminently deserving Dr. Bakul Dholakia, a Padma Shree awardee, a versatile personality with significant contribution as an exalted educationist and economist. His tenure as IIM Ahmedabad Director was highly impactful.
The corps of management professionals of India, which has been created due to the untiring efforts of Dr Dholakia and his likes, will be one of the significant contributors to India’s claiming its rightful place in the world economy among comity of nations very soon.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management is commendably accomplishing its objectives of imparting value based education and the pursuit for global standards of excellence.
This institute since its inception has been continually on an incremental trajectory. Its Chairman Shri Anil Shastri is known for his meticulous approach with strict adherence to propriety.
Shatri ji’s simplicity and steely resolve earned him a distinct place in history. Though Prime Minister for a short period, it was impactful. His life inspires to always keep the Nation First. While the Nation is relishing the historic growth of our economy.
Shatri ji exemplified adherence to highest values. The thought of availing an unjustified benefit never occurred to him.
I'll refer to one instance. During one of his several confinements in Jail, his daughter was taken ill. He secured 15 days parole to attend her. Unfortunately, his daughter passed away while he was on parole. Shastri Ji, even without waiting for his period of parole to fully expire, immediately went back to serve his time in jail. He never availed a concession unjustifiably. A rare instance.
Shastriji steered India during one of the most defining phases in its history. His clarion call 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' continues to reverberate in the heart of every Indian.
Shastriji’s call for self-reliance through the programme of Green Revolution was one of the earliest avatars of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
His clarion call - "Grain sacrifice", FAST ONCE A DAY IN A WEEK during Indo-Pak war, to overcome the food crises received the unprecedented response from the public. He believed in practice rather than preaching. This "Grain Sacrifice" started from his family and was followed by millions all over. This inspired all to keep the nation first.
Vision of Gandhiji and Shastriji to see Bharat being self-reliant and economically strong is being realised consequent to a series of governance affirmative steps taken in the last few years. Commendable contributions of Industry and Business have helped achieve this.
One wonders why a microscopic segment finds it difficult to relish the growth story and trajectory of Bharat that evokes global recognition. We have enough to be proud and celebrate.
Our March has to be unstoppable as we are destined to be Viswa Guru. And why not- we believe and practise वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्।
Voice of Bharat is being heard in global ecosystem with impact as never before. These times are witnessing infrastructural growth comparable to highest global benchmarks.
Ladies and Gentlemen, today, after all these decades of effort, with the same jubilant spirit, India is on the cusp of becoming a world economic power. Last month India overtook the UK and became the world's fifth-largest economy. Towards the turn of the decade it is poised to become the 3rd largest economy in the world.
These attainments are a result of bolstering the economic and managerial skills of the youth through a series of affirmative initiatives of the Government taken in recent years. We must further accelerate these to gain a cutting edge in a competitive global market that requires leveraging emerging technologies.
In the resurgent ‘New India’, where ample opportunities are available to youth to exploit their potential and talent, educational institutions such as yours should become the flag bearers of this mission for excellence and innovation.
It is heartening to note that governmental emphasis on inclusive growth is bearing fruits and results. Inclusion of millions in the banking system is one such stance. It has greatly improved the direct transfer of benefits. Transparency and accountability are now facets of our ecosystem.
Best wishes to the staff and students of Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in all their endeavours.
Namaskar. Jai Hind.”